Method and system for tracking hardware in a motion capture environment

Abstract

A participant in a motion capture environment, such as a motion capture simulation, can utilize or interact with physical objects disposed in the environment, for example weapons, sporting goods, and wands. Markers attached to the physical objects can track movement of the objects in the motion capture environment as well as changes in operational state associated with participant interaction or usage. Markers on an object can be passive, active, or a combination of active and passive. A change in separation between two passive or active markers on a mechanized physical object can indicate that a participant has engaged a mechanism of the object, for example firing a semiautomatic weapon. One or more active markers can emit a pattern of light that is modulated spatially or temporally to report operational state of an object, such as when a participant has fired the weapon or turned a weapon safety off or on.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method comprising the steps of:
 receiving first light emanating from a first spot on a weapon in a motion capture environment; 
 receiving second light emanating from a second spot on the weapon that slides relative to the first spot when a trigger of the weapon is pulled; 
 processing the first and second received light to determine position of the second spot relative to the first spot; and 
 determining a firing state of the weapon based on the determined position. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein a camera receives and processes the first and second light,
 wherein the first light and the second light are visible to the camera, and 
 wherein the weapon is handheld. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first light emanates from a first passive reflector that is attached to the weapon in a fixed position relative to a barrel of the weapon, and
 wherein the second light emanates from a second passive reflector that is attached to a slide of the weapon.